Thank you for your response!
It is cool that works the same way with vehicles graphics....i guess i can allign the picture of the van with its template...in order to have measurements properly, and at the same time be able to show the graphics on the car fast!
Thanks again!
Not sure why you would want to make the photo align with a template. The photo is simply squared and scaled up and it becomes your template when opened in Flexi. Here's a copy/paste of an old tutorial I did to show the steps involved. The only difference is that I am using Gerber Omega instead of Flexi. The same principles apply with either program.
Here's a step by step to make a vehicle template from a digital photo.
1. Begin by taking your photos from as perpendicular a position to each side to be lettered as possible. Take a horizontal reference measurement at the same time. It should be a good sized measurement for best accuracy later. On a van, for example, I usually measure from the driver's door to the taillight.
2. Now bring the photo into a photo editing application. In this case we are using Adobe Photoshop 6.0. You can adjust your image brightness and contrast so as to best see body details and look good if you are presenting it to the client for approval. Now we will rotate the photo to a level position so our layout can be properly positioned. Use the measuring tool to lay down a horizontal line following your best visual horizontal reference point on the vehicle. I am using the center molding in my example.
3. Rotate the photo to horizontal using Photoshop's Rotate Canvas command and the arbitrary setting. This will cause a dialog to appear with the measuring tool angle all filled in for you. Click okay.
You may also want to crop your photo at this time to eliminate angled edges on the canvas.
4. Now open the photo in your signmaking or design application. In this case I am using Gerber Omega. Draw a box to fit the reference measurement you took at the time of the photo taking. Zoom in at each end to make a fine adjustment for accurate fit.
5. Select the box and begin the execution of an Absolute Size command. Insure that any control on whether or not the change is to be proportional is turned on. Enter the reference measurement you took initially and note the percentage of size change. In this case it is 333.7%. Cancel the Absolute Size.
6. Select all and execute a Percentage Size Change command. Insure that any control on whether or not the change is to be proportional is turned on. Enter the percentage from the previous step. Click Okay to execute the size change.
7. Delete the horizontal box. Your photo is now at full scale ready for you to do your layout right on it.
This post takes longer to read than it takes to do this. It's really easy and useful. Try it and watch your layout options improve as you see things like door handles and emblems and are able to work around them. Proof your clients and watch your crediblity and approval rating soar.
